Móðuharðindin

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Móðuharðindin (literally, The Mist Hardships) was a natural disaster in Iceland in the years 1783-1785 following the volcanic eruption of Laki volcano.

[edit] Event

The hardship began with the eruption of the volcano in Lakagígar on June 8, 1783, perhaps one of the greatest volcanic eruptions in historical times. The eruption devastated Iceland and the environmental effects could be felt in many places of the world due to the severe global meteorological effects of the rising sulphuric fumes. A contemporary account of the eruption can be found in the Eldrit of pastor Jón Steingrímsson, which was printed in 1788.

After the volcano erupted, a poisonous mist settled over the entire country, burning up grazing lands and killing cattle. It is believed that 75 percent of all cattle died, and that one out of five Icelanders (approximately 10,000) perished.